Weird filter feeder thing on Zoas

[HermanoToro]

Hello,

I’ve had this zoa colony for a few months and, when I got it, noticed a small black mass growing off one of the zoa stems. The mass appeared to be splitting off from the stem and I thought maybe one of the heads was splitting into a new head or something.
Over the last couple days, it’s grown huge and now has a mouth / inlet thing that appears to be filter feeding. The mass has grown around three of the zoa heads. It doesn’t seem to be particularly bothering them (I brushed the zoas closed to reveal this monstrosity) but I can’t imagine this is something I’d want to keep. I dipped, using revive, when I got it. Anyone know what this is? Interestingly, it’s flesh is identical in color (purple) to the zoas around it. Please ignore the aiptasia at the bottom…..he’s a work in-progress as well. Thanks!

 

[JGT]

Sponge or tunicate. Take it out, scrape it off, rinse and return Zoa’s to the tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Probably aiptasia, although I'd expect it to irritate the coral more

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Sponge or tunicate. Take it out, scrape it off, rinse and return Zoa’s to the tank.

Are we looking at the same thing? I see an aiptasia looking thing near 3 o'clock but inside the colony...

 

[HermanoToro]

Yeah, not talking about the aiptasia. The thing above it.

 

[JGT]

Don’t think so. He’s talking about the dark mass. He mentions the aiptasia so don’t think it’s that.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, not talking about the aiptasia. The thing above it.

Sorry about that.

 

[HermanoToro]

Sponge or tunicate. Take it out, scrape it off, rinse and return Zoa’s to the tank.

Thanks! Thought it’s texture was off to be a sponge for sure. Not too familiar with tunicates, though. I appreciate your response

 

[JGT]

Thanks! Thought it’s texture was off to be a sponge for sure. Not too familiar with tunicates, though. I appreciate your response

Sim to sponges but where sponges have multiple ports, a tunicate has 1 input and 1 output. You can see it move/open close if you look carefully.

 

[HermanoToro]

Sim to sponges but where sponges have multiple ports, a tunicate has 1 input and 1 output. You can see it move/open close if you look carefully.

It’s definitely a tunicate! Thank you very much.